THE IONIZATION ACCOMPANYING THE ACETYLENE-OXYGEN REACTION IN SHOCK WAVES
Abstract
A Langmuir probe was used to study the ionization produced during the oxidation of acetylene in shock waves. While the results were ambiguous at low applied potentials, negative probes were shown to measure approximately the free electron concentrations. These were found to be several orders of magnitude higher than those of thermodynamic equilibrium. After an induction period, the ionization rises exponentially and then decays. The values of the induction periods and of the exponential time constants agree with those obtained from UV emission studies. The temperature coefficient of the maximum ionization and maximum radiation intensities is the same, equivalent to 23 Kcal/mole. Ionization decay is second order. The mechanisms of chemiluminescence and chemiionization are discussed. Small additions of lead tetramethyl and acetone reduced sharply the induction periods in the reaction, without affecting strongly the exponential growth rate of the reaction rate. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0274547
Entities
People
- Clifford W. Hand
- G.b. Kistiakowsky
Organizations
- Harvard University